Which hominin is considered the link between Neandertals and modern humans?

Homo heidelbergensis is recognized as a crucial link between Neandertals and modern humans due to its position in the evolutionary timeline and its physical characteristics. This species lived approximately between 700,000 and 300,000 years ago and is considered an ancestor of both Neandertals and early modern humans (Homo sapiens).

Fossil evidence suggests that H. heidelbergensis exhibited traits that are a mix of both ancestral and derived features. This includes a large brow ridge and a larger brain size than earlier hominins, which suggests a progression towards the more advanced cognitive abilities associated with H. sapiens and Neandertals. Furthermore, H. heidelbergensis is believed to have been the first hominin to exhibit behaviors indicative of more advanced tool use and possibly even social structures that foreshadow later human behavior.

Understanding H. heidelbergensis as a transitional species helps clarify the evolutionary lineage leading from early hominins to modern humans, highlighting the complex connections between different species, including their geographic dispersals and adaptations over time. This makes H. heidelbergensis particularly significant in discussions of human ancestry and the evolution of traits we associate with Neandertals and modern humans today.